System and method for sub-column parallel digitizers for hybrid stacked image sensor using vertical interconnects

ABSTRACT

Embodiments of a hybrid imaging sensor and methods for pixel sub-column data read from the within a pixel array.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application is a continuation of U.S. application Ser. No.15/489,588, filed Apr. 17, 2017, which is a continuation of U.S.application Ser. No. 13/471,432, filed May 14, 2012 (now U.S. Pat. No.9,622,650, issued Apr. 18, 2017) and which claims the benefit of: (1)U.S. Provisional Application No. 61/485,426, filed May 12, 2011; (2)U.S. Provisional Application No. 61/485,432, filed May 12, 2011; (3)U.S. Provisional Application No. 61/485,435, filed May 12, 2011; and,(4) U.S. Provisional Application No. 61/485,440, filed May 12, 2011,which are all hereby incorporated by reference herein in theirentireties, including but not limited to those portions thatspecifically appear hereinafter, the incorporation by reference beingmade with the following exception: In the event that any portion of theabove-referenced provisional applications are inconsistent with thisapplication, this application supersedes said above-referencedprovisional applications.

STATEMENT REGARDING FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH OR DEVELOPMENT

Not Applicable.

BACKGROUND

The disclosure relates generally to electromagnetic sensing and sensorsand also relates to low energy electromagnetic input conditions as wellas low energy electromagnetic throughput conditions. The disclosurerelates more particularly, but not necessarily entirely, to optimizingthe pixel array area and using a stacking scheme for a hybrid imagesensor with minimal vertical interconnects between substrates andassociated systems, methods and features, which may also includemaximizing pixel array size/die size (area optimization).

There has been a popularization of the number of electronic devices thatutilize and include the use of imaging/camera technology in general. Forexample, smartphones, tablet computers, and other handheld computingdevices all include and utilize imaging/camera technology. The use ofimaging/camera technology is not limited to the consumer electronicsindustry. Various other fields of use also utilize imaging/cameratechnology, including various industrial applications, medicalapplications, home and business security/surveillance applications, andmany more. In fact, imaging/camera technology is utilized in nearly allindustries.

Due to such popularization, the demand for smaller and smaller highdefinition imaging sensors has increased dramatically in themarketplace. The device, system and methods of the disclosure may beutilized in any imaging application where size and form factor areconsiderations. Several different types of imaging sensors may beutilized by the disclosure, such as a charged-couple device (CCD), or acomplementary metal-oxide semiconductor (CMOS), or any other imagesensor currently known or that may become known in the future.

CMOS image sensors typically mount the entire pixel array and relatedcircuitry, such as analog-digital converters and/or amplifiers, on asingle chip. Because of the physical constraints of the chip size itselfand the physical space occupied by related circuitry involved in aconventional CMOS image sensor, the area that the pixel array may occupyon the chip is often limited. Thus, even if the pixel array weremaximized on a substrate that also contains the related circuitry, thepixel array is physically limited in area due to the amount of physicalarea and space that the related circuitry for signal processing andother functions occupies on the chip.

Further, the application or field of use in which the CMOS image sensormay be used often requires the CMOS image sensor to be limited to acertain size also limiting the physical area in which the pixel arraymay occupy. The size limitations of a CMOS image sensor often requiretrade-offs between image quality and other important functions, such assignal processing, due to the number of considerations that must beaccounted for in the design and manufacture of a CMOS image sensor.Thus, for example, increasing the pixel array area may come with atrade-off in other areas, such as A/D conversion or other signalprocessing functions, because of the decreased area in which the relatedcircuitry may occupy.

The disclosure optimizes and maximizes the pixel array withoutsacrificing quality of the signal processing by optimizing andmaximizing the pixel array on a first substrate and stacking relatedcircuitry on subsequent substrates. The disclosure utilizes advancementsin back-side illumination and other areas to take advantage ofoptimizing the area of the pixel array on a substrate. The stackingscheme and structure allow highly functional, large-scale circuits to beutilized while maintaining a small chip size.

The features and advantages of the disclosure will be set forth in thedescription which follows, and in part will be apparent from thedescription, or may be learned by the practice of the disclosure withoutundue experimentation. The features and advantages of the disclosure maybe realized and obtained by means of the instruments and combinationsparticularly pointed out in the appended claims.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The features and advantages of the disclosure will become apparent froma consideration of the subsequent detailed description presented inconnection with the accompanying drawings in which:

FIG. 1 illustrates an embodiment of an imaging sensor built on aplurality of substrates and also illustrating an embodiment of thespecific placement of support circuits in accordance with the teachingsand principles of the disclosure;

FIG. 2 illustrates an embodiment of a pixel array wherein interconnectsare spaced relative to pixels within the pixel array in accordance withthe teachings and principles of the disclosure;

FIG. 3 illustrates an embodiment of a pixel array wherein interconnectsare spaced relative to columns within the pixel array in accordance withthe teachings and principles of the disclosure;

FIG. 4 illustrates an embodiment of a pixel array wherein ainterconnects are spaced relative to areas within the pixel array inaccordance with the teachings and principles of the disclosure;

FIG. 5 illustrates a perspective view of an embodiment of an imagingsensor built on a plurality of substrates wherein a plurality of pixelcolumns forming the pixel array are located on the first substrate and aplurality of circuit columns are located on a second substrate andshowing an electrical connection and communication between one column ofpixels to its associated or corresponding column of circuitry viainterconnects, wherein interconnects may be spaced relative to definedpixel areas within the pixel array in accordance with the teachings andprinciples of the disclosure;

FIGS. 6-10 illustrate top views of various embodiments of an imagingsensor built on a plurality of substrates wherein a plurality of pixelcolumns forming the pixel array are located on the first substrate and aplurality of circuit columns are located on a second substrate andshowing an electrical connection and communication between one column ofpixels to its associated or corresponding column of circuitry viainterconnects, wherein interconnects may be spaced relative to definedpixel areas within the pixel array in accordance with the teachings andprinciples of the disclosure;

FIG. 11 illustrates a top view of an embodiment of an imaging sensorbuilt on a plurality of substrates wherein a plurality of pixel columnsand sub-columns forming the pixel array are located on the firstsubstrate and a plurality of circuit columns are located on a secondsubstrate and showing an electrical connection and communication betweenone column of pixels to its associated or corresponding column ofcircuitry;

FIG. 12 illustrates a perspective view of an embodiment of a pluralityof columns and sub-columns that together form a pixel array located on afirst substrate and a plurality of circuit columns located on a secondsubstrate and showing an electrical connection and communication betweenone sub-column of pixels to its associated or corresponding column ofcircuitry in accordance with the teachings and principles of thedisclosure;

FIGS. 12a-12c illustrate perspective, front and side views,respectively, of a single column of pixels that have been formed intotwo separate sub-columns of pixels, wherein each pixel sub-column isattached to a different pixel column read bus, and illustrating twocolumns of circuitry taken from FIG. 12 showing an electrical connectiontherebetween;

FIG. 13 illustrates a perspective view of an embodiment of a pluralityof columns and sub-columns that together form a pixel array located on afirst substrate and a plurality of circuit columns dedicated to one ormore pixel sub-columns located on a second substrate and showing anelectrical connection and communication between one column of pixels toits associated or corresponding column of circuitry in accordance withthe teachings and principles of the disclosure;

FIG. 13a illustrates a perspective view of a single column of pixelsthat have been formed into two separate sub-columns of pixels, whereinboth pixel sub-columns are attached to a different pixel column readbus, and illustrating an electrical connection between the read buses toa column of circuitry taken from FIG. 13;

FIG. 14 illustrates a perspective view of an embodiment of a pluralityof columns and sub-columns that together form a pixel array located on afirst substrate and a plurality of circuit columns located on a secondsubstrate and showing an electrical connection and communication betweeneach sub-column of pixels to its associated or corresponding column ofcircuitry in accordance with the teachings and principles of thedisclosure;

FIGS. 14a-14c illustrate perspective, front and side views,respectively, of a single column of pixels that have been formed intotwo separate sub-columns of pixels, wherein each pixel sub-column isattached to a different pixel column read bus, and illustrating twocolumns of circuitry taken from FIG. 14 showing an electrical connectiontherebetween; and

FIGS. 15-18 illustrate top views of various embodiments of a pluralityof columns and sub-columns that together form a pixel array located on afirst substrate and a plurality of circuit columns located on a secondsubstrate and showing an electrical connection and communication betweeneach sub-column of pixels to its associated or corresponding column ofcircuitry in accordance with the teachings and principles of thedisclosure.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

For the purposes of promoting an understanding of the principles inaccordance with the disclosure, reference will now be made to theembodiments illustrated in the drawings and specific language will beused to describe the same. It will nevertheless be understood that nolimitation of the scope of the disclosure is thereby intended. Anyalterations and further modifications of the inventive featuresillustrated herein, and any additional applications of the principles ofthe disclosure as illustrated herein, which would normally occur to oneskilled in the relevant art and having possession of this disclosure,are to be considered within the scope of the disclosure claimed.

Before the devices, systems, methods and processes for staggering ADC orcolumn circuit bumps in a column or sub-column hybrid image sensor usingvertical interconnects are disclosed and described, it is to beunderstood that this disclosure is not limited to the particularstructures, configurations, process steps, and materials disclosedherein as such structures, configurations, process steps, and materialsmay vary somewhat. It is also to be understood that the terminologyemployed herein is used for the purpose of describing particularembodiments only and is not intended to be limiting since the scope ofthe disclosure will be limited only by the appended claims andequivalents thereof.

It must be noted that, as used in this specification and the appendedclaims, the singular forms “a,” “an,” and “the” include plural referentsunless the context clearly dictates otherwise.

In describing and claiming the subject matter of the disclosure, thefollowing terminology will be used in accordance with the definitionsset out below.

As used herein, the terms “comprising,” “including,” “containing,”“characterized by,” and grammatical equivalents thereof are inclusive oropen-ended terms that do not exclude additional, unrecited elements ormethod steps.

As used herein, the phrase “consisting of” and grammatical equivalentsthereof exclude any element or step not specified in the claim.

As used herein, the phrase “consisting essentially of” and grammaticalequivalents thereof limit the scope of a claim to the specifiedmaterials or steps and those that do not materially affect the basic andnovel characteristic or characteristics of the claimed disclosure.

As used herein, the term “proximal” shall refer broadly to the conceptof a portion nearest an origin.

As used herein, the term “distal” shall generally refer to the oppositeof proximal, and thus to the concept of a portion farther from anorigin, or a furthest portion, depending upon the context.

Digital imaging, whether still or movie, has many constraints placedupon it with regard to the devices used to record the image data. Asdiscussed herein, an imaging sensor may include a pixel array andsupporting circuits that are disposed on at least one substrate. Devicesusually have practical and optimal constraints on the form factor of theimaging sensor depending upon the application. Often it is not the pixelarray that is the only consideration for fitment, but it is thesupporting circuitry that needs to be accommodated. The supportingcircuits may be, but are not necessarily limited to, analog to digitalconverters, power circuits, power harvesters, amplifier circuits,dedicated signal processors and filters, serializers for transmissionpreparation, etc. In addition to circuits, physical property elementsmay be required, such as light filters and lenses. Each of the pixelsmust be read from the pixel array and have the data processed by thesupporting circuits. With the increase in the number of pixels in anarray, more data must be handled. In regard to movie data the sensormust dump its data and be ready to operate again in short order.

Although size is an issue as stated above, pixel count numbers continueto climb industry wide no matter the specific application, and ofteneclipse the mediums that are used to actually view the images after theyhave been recorded, such as a computer monitor or television. However,it should be understood that all pixels are not created equal. In theexample above, a scope configuration may be used in a limited lightapplication.

As pixel counts continue to grow in a given space pixel pitch decreasesthereby requiring greater precision for interconnect electrical contact.Accordingly, the cost of image sensor production can increase as theneed for greater precision in data handling is required for theincreased pixel pitch. Current technologies may be used to achieve imagesensors with increased capabilities but at increased cost as yields fallduring manufacture.

The above-identified issues describe the current state of the artrelative to a few needs within the industry. What is needed is an imagesensor having adequate resolution by way of pixel count, a verticalarchitecture and form factor, and as large as possible pixel size, allwhile constrained in a limited space. The disclosure contemplates andwill discuss embodiments and methods of design that address these andpotentially other issues by optimizing the size of the pixel array on asubstrate/chip and remotely locating supporting circuits in a generallyvertical configuration on one or more supporting substrates/chips.

High performance image sensors that use on-chip analog to digitalconverters (ADC), on-chip digital and analog algorithms, on-chip complextimings, and on-chip complex analog functions provide high qualityimages because of the following reasons (the list below is not acomplete list, but is given merely for exemplary purposes):

No pick-up noise due to long off-chip analog data lines (if no on-chipADC, then analog signals need to be sent off-chip);

Lower temporal noise because digital conversion is carried out early inthe data path (no extra amplifier, buffer that will add extra noise);

Local timing optimization using complex on-chip timing generator.Because of pad count limitation, only simple timing can be performedusing external system;

Lower noise generated by I/O. On-chip systems allow for reduced padcount; and

Faster operation can be achieved (more serial on-chip operation, reducedstray capacitances and resistances). With larger and larger arrays, theneed to read and processes the data created therein is paramount.

The disclosure also contemplates an image sensor that might otherwise bemanufactured with its pixel array and supporting circuitry on a single,monolithic substrate/chip and separating the pixel array from all or amajority of the supporting circuitry. The disclosure may use at leasttwo substrates/chips, which will be stacked together usingthree-dimensional stacking technology. The first of the twosubstrates/chips may be processed using an image CMOS process. The firstsubstrate/chip may be comprised either of a pixel array exclusively or apixel array surrounded by limited circuitry. The second or subsequentsubstrate/chip may be processed using any process, and does not have tobe from an image CMOS process. The second substrate/chip may be, but isnot limited to, a highly dense digital process in order to integrate avariety and number of functions in a very limited space or area on thesubstrate/chip, or a mixed-mode or analog process in order to integratefor example precise analog functions, or a RF process in order toimplement wireless capability, or MEMS (Micro-Electro-MechanicalSystems) in order to integrate MEMS devices. The image CMOSsubstrate/chip may be stacked with the second or subsequentsubstrate/chip using any three-dimensional technique. The secondsubstrate/chip may support most, or a majority, of the circuitry thatwould have otherwise been implemented in the first image CMOS chip (ifimplemented on a monolithic substrate/chip) as peripheral circuits andtherefore have increased the overall system area while keeping the pixelarray size constant and optimized to the fullest extent possible. Theelectrical connection between the two substrates/chips may be donethrough interconnects, which may be wirebonds, μbump and/or TSV (ThroughSilicon Via).

Referring now to FIG. 1, an embodiment of an image sensor with its pixelarray and supporting circuitry built on a plurality of substrates isillustrated using backside illumination. As can be seen in the figure, apixel array 450 may be disposed on a first substrate 452. The firstsubstrate 452 may be made of silicon or of another material in order tocontrol light transmission characteristics. Solder balls, bumps or vias421 may be used to electrically connect one substrate to another. Anembodiment of a stacked image sensor may comprise a pixel array 450 on afirst substrate 452. The pixel array 450 may cover at least fortypercent of a first surface 451 of the first substrate 452. In a backsideilluminated configuration, a pixel array may be disposed on the backsideof said first substrate. Further, in a back side illuminationconfiguration the substrate 452 may be thinned for controlling lighttransmission therethough. In an embodiment utilizing backsideillumination, the first substrate may be made of primarily siliconmaterial, or the first substrate may be made of primarily of “High-Z”semiconductor material (Cadmium Telluride e.g.), or the first substratemay be made primarily of III-V semiconductor materials (Gallium Arsenidee.g.).

In an embodiment, a pixel array 450 may cover a majority of the firstsurface 451 of a first substrate 452. In such an embodiment the pixelarray 450 may be situated or located on any portion of said firstsurface 451. The remaining space on the first surface 451 may be usedfor secondary circuit placement if desired. Situations may arise where asecondary circuit may be sized such that central placement of the pixelarray is not practical.

During use, data created by individual pixels on the pixel array must beprocessed by supporting circuitry, as such each pixel must beelectronically connected to supporting circuits. Ideally each pixelcould be read simultaneously thereby creating a global shutter.Referring now to FIG. 2, it will be appreciated that the ability to readdata from an imaging device as a global shutter requires that there beone interconnect 1724 per pixel 1726, which is very difficult to achievein practice because of the bumping pitch during manufacturingtolerances. FIG. 3 illustrates a situation where the pixels 1726 havebeen formed in a plurality of columns, such as 1728. Using a pixelcolumn (1728) format in a pixel array, a very high frame rate can beachieved by using a rolling type shutter. It will be appreciated that arolling type shutter reads an entire row of pixels substantiallysimultaneously at one time and then reads or moves from the top of thepixel columns to the bottom of the pixel columns. In other words, thefirst row of pixels may be read followed by the next, adjacent row ofpixels as data is read from the plurality of pixel columns, and thereading starts at the top of the pixel columns and then rolls down thecolumns, pixel by pixel at a time, and moves in a predetermined andcalculated pattern over the entirety of the pixel array. In the case ofa rolling shutter, only one read bus 1730 need be present per pixelcolumn 1728, and one read bus 1740 per circuit column. Due to thesuperimposition of the read buses 1730 and 1740 on the first substrate1752 and the second substrate 1754, respectively, only oneinterconnect/bump 1724 per pixel column bus 1730 is required to connectthe pixel read bus 1730 to the circuit read bus 1740, instead of oneinterconnect/bump 1724 per pixel 1726 as required by a global shutter.

FIG. 2 illustrates a bumping configuration or scheme using one bump 1724per pixel 1726, which approximates a global shutter operation. In thisconfiguration, the bump pitch equals or substantially equals the pixelpitch in both the X and Y axes or directions. FIG. 3 illustrates abumping configuration or scheme using one interconnect/bump 1724 perpixel column 1728. This configuration may be used in a rolling shutteroperation. This bump pitch configuration or scheme is more relaxed ascompared to the bump pitch of FIG. 2 in the vertical direction only.However, it should be noted that in this configuration the bump pitch isstill required to be at least the same in one direction or dimension asthe pixel pitch. FIG. 3 illustrates a plurality of columns 1728, whereeach column 1728 is comprised of a plurality of pixels 1726. Each columnof pixels may run in the Y direction (y-axis) for a distance and may beone pixel in width as illustrated. Each column of pixels may be readthrough a single connection point at one end of each column 1728.Although such a configuration simplifies chip architecture, tighttolerances must still be maintained because the distance between pixelslaterally (horizontally) continues to limit bump (interconnect) pitchbecause the interconnect must not make contact with a neighboringinterconnect and must be sized accordingly.

FIG. 4, illustrates a bumping configuration that is even further relaxedthan that shown in FIG. 2 or 3. In this figure, the bump pitch isrelaxed (e.g., the distance between bumps has increased in comparison toFIGS. 2 and 3) and half of the interconnects/bumps 1724 can be used toprocess data at each side of the pixel array 1710. This can beaccomplished by adding or introducing a second set of interconnects 1724that alternate with respect column read buses and at opposing ends ofthe column read buses (e.g., an interconnect 1724 is used to connectread buses 1730, 1740 and may be located at every other column read buson one side of the pixel array 710 and the opposite may be done on theother side of the pixel array 710). As can be seen in FIG. 4, the secondset of interconnects 1724 b may be used in combination with the firstset of interconnects 1724 a and may be employed to allow half of thedata to be processed or read at each side of the pixel array 1710. Sucha configuration may allow for nearly double the size of bump pitch(interconnect pitch) as compared to the pixel pitch in at least onedimension, which would greatly decrease the cost of producing imagesensors 1700. In an embodiment, more than one interconnect or bump 1724per pixel column 1728 may be utilized per read bus, such that data maybe read from either end of the pixel column 1728.

FIGS. 5-10 illustrate embodiments and configurations of a pixel array1810 having staggered interconnect or bump 1824 positioning on asubstrate/chip. As noted above, because there is one read bus 1830 perpixel column 1828, 1832 and one read bus 1840 per circuit column, andbecause the read buses 1830 and 1840 run from the top of the column tothe bottom of the column, the interconnect/bump 1824 may be placedanywhere along the superimposed path of the buses within the column. Inorder to relax the bumping pitch, the bump distance may be increasedfrom column to column by shifting the next column bump 1824 either up ordown (in the Y direction) in the next column.

By way of example, it will be appreciated that pixel pitch may be about5 μm and pixel column may be any length, for example between about 2 mmand about 15 mm long. It should be noted that bump pitch is a functionof pixel pitch, such that the pixel pitch will be determinative of anideal bump pitch. For example, assuming there is a desired bump pitch ofapproximately 100 μm, placing a first interconnect or bump 1824 may thenbe accomplished by starting at the top of the first column and shiftingdown the next column interconnect or bump by 100 μm. All other bumps aresimilarly positioned until the interconnect or bump in the 20th columnof the line will be located at the bottom of the pixel column. At thatpoint, the interconnect or bump 1824 in the 21st column may again beplaced at the top of the pixel column 1828. This same pattern may thenbe repeated until the end of the pixel array 1810. Horizontally, theinterconnects or bumps 1824 may be separated by 20 columns×5 μm=100 μm.In this example, all bumps will then be separated by more than 100 μm,even though the pixel pitch is about 5 μm. Redundancy can then beintroduced in the pixel column for yield purposes. For example, bumps inall columns can be doubled (i.e., the two read buses are attached by 2interconnects or bumps). This technique would significantly increasestacking yield and lower the cost of the overall process.

As can be seen in FIG. 5, a first column 1828 of pixels 1826 may beelectrically accessed via a first interconnect 1824 a. In theembodiment, a second pixel column 1832 may be electrically accessedthrough a second interconnect 1824 b, which has been positioned duringmanufacture in a staggered configuration relative to said firstinterconnect 1824 a. As illustrated, the location or position of thesecond interconnect 1824 b may be at least two pixel widths away fromthe position of the first interconnect 1824 b (and from any otherinterconnect 1824) in both the X and Y dimensions or directions. A thirdinterconnect 1824 c may then be positioned in like manner in a thirdpixel column and so on for N-number of interconnects 1824 across thepixel array 1810. Such a configuration provides for an interconnectpitch that is at least three times that of the pixel pitch. It will beappreciated that the gain in interconnect pitch may be much greater thanthree times that of the pixel pitch under standard conditions. However,it will be appreciated that the gain in interconnect pitch may be atleast three times the pixel pitch as noted above.

Likewise, greater interconnect gains may be made with area based spacingrather than column-by-column based connectivity (see figuresillustrating a pixel column aspect ratio of 6/1 and circuit columnaspect ratio of 6/1 and 3/2, or a pixel column aspect ratio of 8/1 andcircuit column aspect ratio of 2/4). This can be accomplished with theaddition of more bus structures or use of direct reading to a subsequentsubstrate. In either configuration, the interconnect pitch may bedescribed thusly:

Interconnect_Pitch=√{square root over((N*PixelPitch_(x))²+(M*PixelPitch_(y))²)}

where N is the number of pixels between two adjacent interconnects inthe X-direction and M is the number of pixels between two adjacentinterconnects in the Y-direction. It will be appreciated that each ofthe plurality of interconnects may be a bump where the bump to bumpdistance may be greater than two pixels in width, or greater than fourpixels in width, or greater than eight pixels in width.

In many applications, the N×Pixel Pitch in the X direction will be equalto M×Pixel Pitch in the Y direction. As illustrated in FIGS. 6-10,larger pixel arrays 1810 may be accommodated or designed byextrapolating the above described process through additional iterations.FIG. 6 illustrates a superimposed silicon substrate stack. In thefigure, a first substrate 1852 consisting of a pixel array 1810 is shownoverlaid on top of a support substrate 1854 that comprises supportcircuits. The area available for locating support circuits for a firstpixel column 1881 is outlined in dashed lines and labeled for the sakeof simplicity and discussion. It will be appreciated that the actualarea of the circuit column is not represented by the dashed lines, butmay be greater than, less than or the same as the area of the pixelcolumn. As discussed above, the support circuit area directly correlatesto the area of a pixel column to which they correspond. Each pixelcolumn may be one pixel wide and sixty-four pixels long and may have oneread bus that runs from the top to the bottom of the pixel column. InFIG. 6, the area available for support circuit placement may be equal toone pixel unit wide by sixty-four pixel units long, which is shown asthe heavier vertical lines in the figure. Therefore, the interconnect1824 between the substrates in FIG. 6 must fall somewhere within thesixty-four pixel unit area in order to read that column, since the pixelcolumn read bus and the column circuit read bus are superimposed alongthe path of the sixty-four pixels, such that the interconnect 1824 maybe placed anywhere along those sixty-four pixels to connect the readbuses.

Moreover, because the interconnect can be located only where the pixelcolumn read bus and the support circuit read bus superimpose, theinterconnect range in order to read the corresponding pixel column is 1pixel wide and 64 pixels long (for this example), which is the interceptbetween the pixel column and the support circuit to be connected.

It should be noted that the exemplary aspect ratio of the supportcircuit area in FIG. 6 is illustrated as 1/64. There are many options tolocate or place the interconnect 1824 within that area and the ultimatelocation may then be chosen by the designer so as to allow the desiredspacing from interconnect to interconnect. For example, as illustratedbest in FIGS. 6-10, it will be appreciated that in an embodiment inwhich the interconnects or bumps 1824 are in a staggered configuration,there may be one interconnect or bump 1824 per group of pixels 1826.

Additionally, it should be noted that various read bus architectures maybe utilized depending on the desired application. As discussed above,larger dedicated support circuits may be employed to process the dataread through each interconnect 1824. The staggering of the position ofeach interconnect/bump 1824 may also provide even greater space forsupport circuits relative to each area or group of pixels within thepixel array 1810.

It should also be noted that many optimum staggering configurations havebeen found for the same base sensor with different support circuitaspect ratios as illustrated in FIGS. 6-10. An optimum configuration canbe found by varying the position of the interconnect within the range ofthe intercept between the pixel column and the support circuit and thepattern of the allocation of the support circuit to each pixel column.It should also be noted that all interconnects illustrated in FIGS. 6-10are more than 7 pixels in distance away from each other.

In FIG. 7, the area available for support circuit placement may be equalto two pixel units wide by thirty-two pixel units long, which is shownas the heavier vertical lines in the figure. Therefore, the interconnect1824 between the substrates 1852 and 1854 must fall somewhere in thesixty-four pixel unit area in order to read that column. It should benoted that the aspect ratio of the support circuit area in this exampleis 2/32. Each pixel column is or may be one pixel wide and sixty-fourpixels long and may have one read bus that runs from the top to thebottom of the pixel column. The choice of where to place theinterconnect has many options within that area and could be chosen so asto allow the desired spacing from interconnect to interconnect.Moreover, because the interconnect can be located only where the pixelcolumn read bus and the support circuit read bus superimpose, in orderto read the corresponding pixel column the interconnect range may be onepixel wide and thirty-two pixels long (for this example), which is theintercept between the pixel column and the support circuit to beconnected.

In FIG. 8, the area available for support circuit placement may be equalto four pixel units wide by sixteen pixel units long, which is shown asthe heavier vertical lines in the figure. Therefore, the interconnectbetween the substrates must fall somewhere in the sixty-four pixel unitarea in order to read the corresponding pixel column. It should be notedthat the aspect ratio of the support circuit area in this example is4/16. Each pixel column is or may be one pixel wide and sixty-fourpixels long and may have one read bus that runs from the top to thebottom of the pixel column. The choice of where to place theinterconnect has many options within that area and could be chosen so asto allow the desired spacing from interconnect to interconnect.

Moreover, because the interconnect can be located only where the pixelcolumn read bus and the support circuit read bus superimpose, in orderto read the corresponding pixel column the interconnect range may be onepixel wide and sixteen pixels long (for this example), which is theintercept between the pixel column and the support circuit to beconnected.

In FIG. 9, the area available for support circuit placement may be equalto eight pixel units wide by eight pixel units long, which is shown asthe heavier vertical lines in the figure. Therefore, the interconnect1824 between the substrates 1852 and 1854 must fall somewhere in thesixty-four pixel unit area in order to read the corresponding pixelcolumn. It should be noted that the aspect ratio of the support circuitarea in this example is 8/8. Each pixel column is or may be one pixelwide and sixty-four pixels long and may have one read bus that runs fromthe top to the bottom of the pixel column. The choice of where to placethe interconnect has many options within that area and could be chosenso as to allow the desired spacing from interconnect to interconnect.

Moreover, because the interconnect can be located only where the pixelcolumn read bus and the support circuit read bus superimpose, in orderto read the corresponding pixel column the interconnect range may be onepixel wide and eight pixels long (for this example), which is theintercept between the pixel column and the support circuit to beconnected.

In FIG. 10, the area available for support circuit placement may beequal to sixteen pixel units wide by four pixel units long, which isshown as the heavier vertical lines in the figure. Therefore, theinterconnect between the substrates must fall somewhere in thesixty-four pixel unit area in order to read the corresponding pixelcolumn. It should be noted that the aspect ratio of the support circuitarea in this example is 16/4, this example shows the flexibility thatthese methods and apparatuses disclosed herein can provide. Each pixelcolumn is or may be one pixel wide and sixty-four pixels long and mayhave one read bus that runs from the top to the bottom of the pixelcolumn. The choice of where to place the interconnect has many optionswithin that area and could be chosen so as to allow the desired spacingfrom interconnect to interconnect.

Moreover, because the interconnect can be located only where the pixelcolumn read bus and the support circuit read bus superimpose, in orderto read the corresponding pixel column the interconnect range may be onepixel wide and four pixels long (for this example), which is theintercept between the pixel column and the support circuit to beconnected.

It should also be noted that the pattern of the association of thesupport circuit to the pixel column may be different than that of FIGS.6-10 and such association may ultimately provide the optimal distance ofthe interconnects away from each other. For example, the interconnectsmay be optimally placed at least two pixel widths apart, four pixelwidths apart, eight pixel widths apart, or more from each other. Adesigner may optimally determine the distance that the interconnects maybe placed apart from one another based on two degrees of freedom: (1)the number of pixels per column, and (2) the circuit aspect ratio andlocation. In the examples shown in FIGS. 6-10, the interconnects 1824may be located about eight pixels away from each other. However, it willbe understood that other designs may be implemented without departingfrom the spirit or scope of the disclosure.

For example, as illustrated in FIG. 6, each of the interconnects 1824may be located eight pixels in length and one pixel in width away fromeach other. Because the circuit columns each have an aspect ratio of onepixel in width and sixty-four pixels in length, the interconnects 1824may then be located eight pixels away from each other in adjacentcolumns as illustrated in FIG. 6, until the bottom of the circuit 1800is reached, in which case the interconnects 1824 are then moved to thetop of the next column and continue for the entire width of the pixelarray 1810. Conversely, in FIG. 10, the interconnects 1824 are stilllocated eight pixels in length and one pixel in width away from eachother. However, in this example, the circuit column aspect ratio is nowfour pixels in length and sixteen pixels in width. Thus, for theinterconnects 1824 to be at least eight pixels away from each other, onecircuit column 1856 b must be skipped since the aspect ratio is onlyfour pixels in length, such that the interconnects 1824 maintain optimalspacing. Thus, for example, placing an interconnect 1824 in the upperleft corner of the pixel array 1810 in FIG. 10 (on the first pixel ofthe first column 1828) and then moving to the next pixel column 1832 andcounting down eight pixels in length, the next interconnect 1824 maythen be placed in the third circuit column 1856 c, skipping the secondcircuit column 1856 b altogether. This pattern may be used throughoutthe pixel array. The second, skipped circuit column 1856 b is thenconnected to the pixel array by an interconnect 1824 a that is placed inthe ninth pixel column and the pattern is repeated for all skippedcircuit columns. Thus, as illustrated, optimal interconnect spacing maybe achieved and various circuit designs may be accommodated withoutdeparting from the scope of the disclosure.

Referring now to FIG. 11, a pixel array 1810 having columns andsub-columns will be discussed. As can be seen in FIG. 11, a portion of apixel array 1810 is illustrated having six columns therein, each columnrunning from the top of the portion of the pixel array illustrated tothe bottom of the pixel array. It will be appreciated that the moderncircuit 1800 will have a pixel array 1810 that comprises many more pixelcolumns (a plurality of pixels running in the Y-direction in the figure)and rows (a plurality of pixels running in the X-direction in thefigure) forming the array 1810. Only a limited number of pixel columnsand rows are shown herein for illustration purposes and for the sake ofdiscussion and simplicity.

Each of the pixel columns 1828 in the pixel array 1810 may be dividedinto sub-columns. The sub-columns may be defined as a plurality ofpixels within a column that is less than the entire column of pixels andthat are electrically connected to a pixel sub-column bus. Thus, theremay be a plurality of pixel sub-columns per pixel column 1828. Each ofthe sub-columns may have a contact pad and/or an interconnectillustrated as 51, 52, 53 and 54 to electrically connect each of thesub-column buses on the first substrate to an associated orcorresponding circuit column bus located on the supporting substrate.

At least one pixel column bus may be used to provide an electricalconnection for every pixel in the column 1828. The column 1828 may bedivided into a plurality of sub-columns, where at least one pixelsub-column bus is present per pixel sub-column. The sub-column buses maybe differentiated by dividers 62, 63, 64, which dividers may be aphysical space or gap or other device for electrically isolating thepixel sub-column and/or sub-column bus from another sub-column and/orsub-column bus. During use, the data from the pixels may be read in arolling type shutter manner, which is substantially simultaneous fromeach row of pixels in each of the sub-columns (illustrated as foursub-columns in FIG. 11). In such a configuration, the read time may besubstantially reduced due to the number of sub-columns that areconnected to dedicated circuit columns via the pixel sub-column read busand the circuit column read bus and the interconnects that electricallyconnect the buses together. Thus, the read time in the embodimentillustrated may be theoretically reduced (i.e., reading speed isincreased) for the entire column (which in FIG. 11 includes foursub-columns) by the number of sub-column buses. In FIG. 11, there arefour sub-columns and sub-column buses, such that the read time isreduced (speed is increased by four times) by seventy-five percent. Itwill be appreciated that no matter the number or configuration ofsub-columns, the rolling shutter may operate row by row at the beginningof each sub-column incrementally reading each pixel in the sub-column tothe end of the sub-column simultaneously with the other sub-columns(simultaneously reading the row of pixels starting from the pixel rowlocated at 51, 52, 53, 54).

In other embodiments, the column may be divided into any number ofsub-columns, with each division of the column (e.g., addition of asub-column) approximating a global shutter functionality. As can be seenin the figure, the contact pads and interconnect locations can bestaggered in each of the columns. As illustrated, the interconnects fromthe column labeled “A” from those in the column labeled “B.” Otheriterations of sub-columns and interconnect staggering are possible for Nnumber of columns.

Referring now to FIGS. 12 through 14 c, there is illustrated variousviews of an embodiment of an imaging sensor 1200 built on a plurality ofsubstrates having sub-column read functionality and remotely locatedsupport circuits. FIGS. 12 and 14 illustrate a plurality of pixelcolumns 1252 and 1452 forming the pixel array 1250 and 1450 on the firstsubstrate 1210, 1410 and a plurality of circuit columns 1256, 1456 (thatrepresent the supporting circuitry 1270, 1470) on the second substrate1211, 1411.

As illustrated in FIGS. 12-12 c, a pixel array 1250 may be divided intoa plurality of columns and sub-columns 1252. The size of the columns andsub-columns may, for example, be based on the size of the associatedcircuitry 1270 and circuit columns 1256. For example, the pixelsub-column 1252 may be one pixel in width and “N” number of pixels long(in FIGS. 12-12 c, the pixel sub-columns are illustrated as being onepixel wide and six pixels long) and the circuit columns 1256 areillustrated as having an aspect ratio of one pixel wide by six pixelslong. It will be appreciated that the size or area of the circuit column1256 may dictate or direct the size of the pixel sub-column 1252, sincethe pixel sub-column 1252 should have substantially the same area as thecircuit column 1256. The pixel sub-column 1252 may be directlyassociated with circuit column 1256 through an electrical connectionbetween an interconnect 1224 that electrically connects the pixel readbus 1230 to the circuit read bus 1240. The figures show an example of aconnection between each pixel sub-column 1252 to its associatedcircuitry 1270 in a circuit column 1256 through read buses 1230 and1240.

The figures also show one read bus 1230 per pixel sub-column 1252 andone read bus 1240 per circuit column 1256. In this embodiment, theassociated circuitry 1270 in a circuit column 1256 is one pixel wide andsix pixels long, but it will be appreciated that any circuit columnaspect ratio may be utilized by the disclosure. As can be seen in FIGS.12-12 c, the columns have all been divided into two sub-columns 1287,1288. Accordingly, pixel column read bus 1230 may be manufactured intocorresponding pixel sub-column read buses 1230 a and 1230 b. Each pixelsub-column 1287, 1288 may be connected to a pixel column bus 1230 a or1230 b first and then to supporting circuitry 1270 and circuit column1256, or each sub-column 1287, 1288 may connect directly to thecircuitry 1270 and circuit column 1256 through their own interconnect1224 a and 1224 b, respectively, to an associated circuit bus 1240 a and1240 b.

As noted herein above, each pixel sub-column 1252 may be electricallyassociated or connected to one pixel sub-column bus 1230, and eachcircuit column 1256 may be electrically associated or connected to onecircuit column bus 1240. FIGS. 12a-12c illustrate a perspective view, afront view and a side view, respectively, of a single pixel column 1252divided into sub-columns 1287, 1288 and two associated circuit columns1256 separated from the plurality of pixel columns 1252 and plurality ofcircuit columns 1256 illustrated in FIG. 12. As illustrated in FIGS.12a-12c , there are two read buses 1230 a, 1230 b per pixel column,which thereby separates the column into two sub-columns. Two supportingcircuits (one support circuit per pixel sub-column read bus. In thisconfiguration, there is an aspect ratio of the circuit column is 6/1,the aspect ratio of the pixel sub-column is also 6/1, and the aspectratio of the whole pixel column is 12/1.

FIG. 12a-12c also further illustrate the electrical connection betweenthe pixel sub-column buses 1230 a and 1230 b of the pixel sub-columns1287, 1288 and the circuit columns 1256 using one or more interconnects1224 per sub-column connection. While the pixel sub-buses 1230 a and1230 b and buses 1240 a and 1240 b may be electrically connected usingone or more interconnects 1224, the figures illustrate that theinterconnects 1224 may be located anywhere along the superimposed pathof the pixel sub-buses 1230 a and 1230 b and buses 1240 withoutdeparting from the spirit or scope of the disclosure.

FIGS. 13 and 13 a illustrate an alternative embodiment in which thepixel column has been divided into a plurality of sub-columns, eachhaving their own bus. However, the sub-columns are illustrated as beingconnected by their individual buses to a single circuit column.

Similar to FIGS. 12-12 c, FIGS. 14-14 c illustrate a pixel array 1450being divided into a plurality of columns and sub-columns 1452. The sizeof the columns and sub-columns may, for example, be based on the size ofthe associated circuitry 1470 and circuit columns 1456. For example, thepixel sub-column 1452 may be one pixel in width and “N” number of pixelslong (in FIGS. 14-14 c, the pixel sub-columns are illustrated as beingone pixel wide and six pixels long, whereas the entire column isillustrated as being one pixel wide and twelve pixels long) and thecircuit columns 1456 are illustrated as having an aspect ratio of twopixels wide by three pixels long. It will be appreciated that the sizeor area of the circuit column 1456 may dictate or direct the size of thepixel sub-column 1452, since the pixel sub-column 1452 should havesubstantially the same area as the circuit column 1456. The pixelsub-column 1452 may be directly associated with circuit column 1456through an electrical connection between an interconnect 1424 thatelectrically connects the pixel read bus 1430 to the circuit read bus1440. The figures show an example of a connection between each pixelsub-column 1452 to its associated circuitry 1470 in a circuit column1456 through read buses 1430 and 1440.

The figures also show one read bus 1430 per pixel sub-column 1452 andone read bus 1440 per circuit column 1456. In this embodiment, theassociated circuitry 1470 in a circuit column 1456 is two pixels wideand three pixels long, but it will be appreciated that any circuitcolumn aspect ratio may be utilized by the disclosure. As can be seen inFIGS. 14-14 c, the columns have all been divided into two sub-columns1487, 1488. Accordingly, pixel column read bus 1430 may be manufacturedinto corresponding pixel sub-column read buses 1430 a and 1430 b. Eachpixel sub-column 1487, 1488 may be connected to a pixel column bus 1430a or 1430 b first and then to supporting circuitry 1470 and circuitcolumn 1456, or each sub-column 1487, 1488 may connect directly to thecircuitry 1470 and circuit column 1456 through their own interconnect1424 a and 1424 b, respectively, to an associated circuit bus 1440 a and1440 b.

As noted herein above, each pixel sub-column 1452 may be electricallyassociated or connected to one pixel sub-column bus 1430, and eachcircuit column 1456 may be electrically associated or connected to onecircuit column bus 1440. FIGS. 14a-14c illustrate a perspective view, afront view and a side view, respectively, of a single pixel column 1452divided into sub-columns 1487, 1488 and two associated circuit columns1456 separated from the plurality of pixel columns 1452 and plurality ofcircuit columns 1456 illustrated in FIG. 14. As illustrated in FIGS.14a-14c , there are two read buses present for the entire pixel column.However, as illustrated the presence of the two read buses 1430 a, 1430b are illustrated as being separate and distinct buses that are notelectrically connected to each other, such that there is a separation ordivider (as discussed above in relation to FIG. 11) that separates thecolumn into two sub-columns. Accordingly, there may also be twosupporting circuits and circuit column read buses (one support circuitand circuit column bus per pixel sub-column read bus). In thisconfiguration, there is an aspect ratio of the circuit column is 3/2,the aspect ratio of the pixel sub-column is also 6/1, and the aspectratio of the whole pixel column is 12/1.

FIG. 14a-14c further illustrate the electrical connection between thepixel sub-column buses 1430 a and 1430 b of the pixel sub-columns 1487,1488 and the circuit columns 1456 using one or more interconnects 1424per sub-column connection. While the pixel sub-buses 1430 a and 1430 band circuit column buses 1440 a and 1440 b may be electrically connectedusing one or more interconnects 1424, the figures illustrate that theinterconnects 1424 may be located anywhere along the superimposed pathof the pixel sub-buses 1430 a and 1430 b and circuit column buses 1440without departing from the spirit or scope of the disclosure.

FIGS. 14-14 c also illustrate how differing aspect ratios between thesubstrates can allow for flexibility in bus contact points. In theembodiment, the column circuit bus 1440 has been designed with a generalAu@ shape that so as to occupy the area of the circuit column 1456 moreevenly, thereby providing options for connecting the interconnect 1424throughout the entire circuit column 1456. Note that the pixel columnbus 1430 is not generally u-shaped, but the circuit column bus 1440 maybe generally u-shaped, so that the same column circuit 1456 may be usedwith the two adjacent, but different pixel column configurations. Thefirst leg of the u-shaped circuit column buses 1440 a and 1440 b may besuperimposed to the read buses 1430 a and 1430 b of the pixelsub-columns 1487 and 1488 (as illustrated in FIG. 14a ). The second legof the u-shaped circuit column bus 1442 that is located between circuitcolumn buses 1440 a and 1440 b may be superimposed to the read bus 1430of the next, adjacent pixel column 1452 (as illustrated best in FIG.14). FIGS. 14a-14c illustrate a single set of pixel sub-columns 1487 and1488 taken from the pixel array 1450 of FIG. 14. It should be noted thatbecause the aspect ratio of the circuit column 1456 is illustrated asbeing two pixels wide by three pixels long, which is one half the lengthof the corresponding pixel sub-columns 1487 and 1488, the interconnect1424 location options are only available for a portion of the pixelsub-column length.

FIG. 14b illustrates that for a complex bus shape there may be twointerconnect location path options along buses 1440 a and 1440 b in acircuit column 1456 having twice the width of the pixel sub-column 1487and 1488 it supports. FIG. 14b illustrates a front view of thesuperimposition of the first leg of the u-shaped circuit column bus 1440b to the read bus 1430 b of the pixel sub-column 1488 and uses the outermost portion of the bus 1440 b for locating the interconnect 1424 asopposed to the innermost portion of the bus 1440 b as illustrated inFIGS. 14 and 14 a for locating the interconnect 1424 to the next,adjacent pixel column 1452.

FIG. 14 illustrates the next pixel sub-column 1452 located to the leftof and relative to the pixel sub-columns 1487 and 1488 illustrated inFIGS. 14a-14c . The bus 1430 of the next pixel sub-column 1452illustrated in FIG. 14 may be electrically connected to a differentcircuit bus 1442 that may be located between circuit bus 1440 a and 1440b as illustrated. It should be noted that because the footprint of thecircuit column 1456 has an aspect ratio of 2 pixels wide by 3 pixelslong, the superimposition of the pixel sub-column bus 1430 to thecircuit column bus 1442 requires the second leg of the circuit columnbus 1442 to be generally u-shaped to thereby allow a natural match orsuperimposition of the bus 1442 with respect to the next pixelsub-column 1452 and its corresponding bus (with respect to thesub-column 1487) illustrated in FIG. 14.

FIG. 15 illustrates an embodiment and configuration of a pixel array1810 having staggered interconnect or bump 1824 positioning andsub-columns on a substrate/chip. As noted above, because there is oneread bus per pixel column 1828 (or sub-column) and one read bus percircuit column, and because the read buses run from the top of thecolumn to the bottom of the column, and because the pixel columns may bedivided into sub-columns each having their own pixel column bus, theinterconnect/bump 1824 may be placed anywhere along the superimposedpath of the sub-column bus and the circuit column bus. In the figure, adivider 1866, which may be a physical space or gap or some other devicefor electrically isolating the pixel sub-column and/or sub-column busfrom another sub-column and/or sub-column bus, divides the pixel columnbus into pixel sub-column buses.

As can be seen in FIG. 15, a first sub-column 1828 a of pixels 1826 maybe electrically connected to its corresponding circuit column 1856 via afirst interconnect 1824 a that is connected to the buses 1830 and 1840,and a second sub-column 1828 b by a second interconnect 1824 b in asimilar manner. In the embodiment, the second pixel column may beelectrically accessed through a second set of sub column interconnects,which has been positioned during manufacture in a sub-columnconfiguration relative to said first column interconnects. Asillustrated, the location or position of the second interconnect may betwo pixel widths away from the position of the first interconnect inboth the X and Y dimensions or directions. A third set of interconnectsmay then be positioned in like manner in a third pixel column and so onfor N-number of interconnect sets across the pixel array 1810.

FIG. 16 illustrates a pixel array that is configured into such that eachcolumn is divided into two sub-columns and then staggered. The areaavailable for locating support circuits for a first pixel column 1881correlates to the pixel sub-column configuration as described above. Asdiscussed further above, the support circuit area directly correlates tothe area of a pixel column to which it corresponds. In FIG. 16 the areaavailable for support circuit placement may be equal to one pixel unitwide by sixty-four pixel units long, which is shown as the heaviervertical lines in the figure. Additionally, each circuit column maycorrelate to one of the sub-columns or, in the alternative, the circuitcolumn may also be in a manner that corresponds to the pixel column.

It should be noted that the exemplary aspect ratio of the supportcircuit area in FIG. 16 is illustrated as 1/64. There are many optionsto locate or place the interconnects for the sub-columns within thatarea and the ultimate location may then be chosen by the designer so asto allow the desired spacing from interconnect to interconnect.

In FIG. 17 illustrates a schematically large image sensor showing thescalability of the principles and teaching of the disclosure. As can beseen in the figure, the area available for support circuit placement maybe equal to four pixel units wide by sixteen pixel units long, which isshown as the heavier vertical lines in the figure. As illustrated theremay be a plurality of interconnects 2516 and 2518 per pixel columndenoting the pixel sub-columns so as to allow for more sub-columnfunctionality for large array configurations. Therefore, theinterconnect between the substrates must fall somewhere in thesub-column pixel unit areas in order to read the corresponding pixelcolumn. It should be noted that the aspect ratio of the support circuitarea in this example is 4/16, the sub column aspect ratio is 1/64 andthe pixel column is 1/128. Therefore there are pixel sub-columns perpixel column. In this example, the frame read time (one rolling cycle)is half than that of what would be if this array would be not divided.There are two row addressing at the same time. The whole pixel array canbe regarded as two independent, self consistent sub-arrays. Such inembodiment lends itself to support circuitry that directly correspondsto the pixel sub-columns. The choice of where to place the interconnecthas many options within that area and could be chosen so as to allow thedesired spacing from interconnect to interconnect. As the figureillustrates, by repeating the methods of this disclosure even the latestimaging sensor technology can be used with these methods.

In FIG. 18 illustrates a schematically large image sensor showing thescalability of the principles and teaching of the disclosure. Theplurality of interconnects 2616, 2618 per column indicate that the pixelcolumn has been divided into sub-columns. As can be seen in the figure,the area available for support circuit placement for the pixelsub-columns may be equal to two pixel units wide by thirty-two pixelunits long, which is shown as the heavier vertical lines in the figure.Therefore, the interconnect between the substrates must fall somewherein the sixty-four pixel unit area in order to read the correspondingpixel sub-columns. It should be noted that the aspect ratio of thesupport circuit area is 2/32. The choice of where to place theinterconnect has many options within that area and could be chosen so asto allow the desired spacing from interconnect to interconnect. As thefigure illustrates, by repeating the methods of this disclosure even thelatest imaging sensor technology can be used with these methods.

It will be appreciated that the structures and apparatuses disclosedherein are merely exemplary for optimizing an imaging sensor, and itshould be appreciated that any structure, apparatus or system foroptimizing an image sensor, which performs functions the same as, orequivalent to, those disclosed herein are intended to fall within thescope of this disclosure, including those structures, apparatuses orsystems for imaging, which are presently known, or which may becomeavailable in the future. Anything which functions the same as, orequivalently to, a means for optimizing an imaging sensor falls withinthe scope of this disclosure.

Those having ordinary skill in the relevant art will appreciate theadvantages provide by the features of the disclosure. For example, it isa potential feature of the disclosure to provide an optimized imagingsensor, which is simple in design and manufacture. Another potentialfeature of the disclosure is to provide such an imaging sensor withlarger pixels relative to overall size.

In the foregoing Detailed Description, various features of thedisclosure are either grouped together in a single embodiment for thepurpose of streamlining the disclosure or are discussed in differentembodiments. This method of disclosure is not to be interpreted asreflecting an intention that the claimed disclosure requires morefeatures than are expressly recited in each claim. Rather, as thefollowing claims reflect, inventive aspects lie in less than allfeatures of a single foregoing disclosed embodiment and variousinventive features disclosed in separate embodiments may be combined toform its own embodiment as claimed more fully below. Thus, the followingclaims are hereby incorporated into this Detailed Description by thisreference, with each claim standing on its own as a separate embodimentof the disclosure.

It is to be understood that the above-described arrangements are onlyillustrative of the application of the principles of the disclosure.Numerous modifications and alternative arrangements may be devised bythose skilled in the art without departing from the spirit and scope ofthe disclosure and the appended claims are intended to cover suchmodifications and arrangements. Thus, while the disclosure has beenshown in the drawings and described above with particularity and detail,it will be apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art that numerousmodifications, including, but not limited to, variations in size,materials, shape, form, function and manner of operation, assembly anduse may be made without departing from the principles and concepts setforth herein.

1-27. (canceled)
 28. An imaging sensor comprising: a pixel arraydisposed on a first substrate the pixel array comprising a plurality ofpixel columns, wherein each of the plurality of pixel columns is dividedinto a plurality of pixel sub-columns; a plurality of supportingcircuits disposed on one or more additional substrates the plurality ofsupporting circuits comprising a plurality of circuit columnscorresponding to the plurality of pixel columns, wherein each of theplurality of circuit columns comprises a plurality of circuitsub-columns corresponding the plurality of pixel sub-columns; andwherein each of the plurality of circuit sub-columns is only connectedto one of the plurality of pixel sub-columns; wherein each of theplurality of circuit sub-columns has an area, a size, and an aspectratio, and each of the plurality of pixel sub-columns that correspondsto each one of the circuit sub-columns has an area, a size, and anaspect ratio; and wherein the plurality of supporting circuits in eachof the circuit sub-columns are configured to independently read andprocess data from a corresponding pixel sub-column, and wherein pixelsub-columns within a same pixel column are read simultaneously as partof a rolling shutter.
 29. The imaging sensor of claim 28, furthercomprising a pixel sub-column bus for each of the plurality of pixelsub-columns and a circuit sub-column bus for each of the plurality ofcircuit sub-columns.
 30. The imaging sensor of claim 29, furthercomprising at least one interconnect connecting the pixel sub-column busfor each of the plurality of pixel sub-columns with a correspondingcircuit sub-column bus for each of the plurality of circuit sub-columns.31. The imaging sensor of claim 30, wherein the area of one of saidpixel sub-columns is substantially equal to the area of one of saidcorresponding circuit sub-columns.
 32. The imaging sensor of claim 30,wherein the size of one of said pixel sub-columns is substantially equalto the size of one of said corresponding circuit sub-columns.
 33. Theimaging sensor of claim 30, wherein the area of one of said pixelsub-columns is different than the area of one of said correspondingcircuit sub-columns.
 34. Than imaging sensor of claim 30, wherein thesize of one of said pixel sub-columns is different to the size of one ofsaid corresponding circuit sub-columns.
 35. The imaging sensor of claim30, wherein the aspect ratio of one of said pixel sub-columns issubstantially similar to the aspect ratio of one of said correspondingcircuit sub-columns.
 36. The imaging sensor of claim 30, wherein theaspect ratio of one of said pixel sub-columns is different from theaspect ratio of one of said corresponding circuit sub-columns.
 37. Theimaging sensor of claim 36, wherein the aspect ratio of at least one ofsaid circuit sub-columns is two times the width and one-half the lengthof the aspect ratio of one of said pixel sub-columns.
 38. The imagingsensor of claim 36, wherein the aspect ratio of at least one of saidcircuit sub-columns is four times the width and one-fourth the length ofthe aspect ratio of one of said pixel sub-columns.
 39. The imagingsensor of claim 36, wherein the aspect ratio of at least one of saidcircuit sub-columns is eight times the width and one-eighth the lengthof the aspect ratio of one of said pixel sub-columns.
 40. The imagingsensor of claim 36, wherein the aspect ratio of at least one of saidcircuit sub-columns has a width equal to “N” times the pixels in widthof the aspect ratio of one of said pixel sub-columns and a length equalto 1/“N” times the pixels in length of the aspect ratio of one of saidpixel sub-columns.
 41. The imaging sensor of claim 36, wherein theaspect ratio of at least one of said circuit sub-columns has a widthequal to “N” times the width of the aspect ratio of one of said pixelsub-columns and a length equal to 1/“N” times the length of the aspectratio of one of said pixel sub-columns.
 42. The imaging sensor of claim28, wherein each pixel sub-column bus on the first substrate is at leastpartially superimposed relative to a corresponding circuit sub-columnbus on the one or more additional substrates, wherein the firstsubstrate and the one or more additional substrates are in a stackedconfiguration.
 43. The imaging sensor of claim 28, wherein the one ormore additional substrates are disposed remotely relative to the firstsubstrate;
 44. The imaging sensor of claim 28, wherein reading pixelsub-columns within the same pixel column simultaneously comprises:reading and processing data, by supporting circuits within a specificcircuit sub-column, in parallel with supporting circuits located incircuit sub-columns within the same circuit column.